My Favorite Herb

I know it's not fair to pick a favorite because they are all unique and miraculous in their own right, but there is nothing quite like a farm fresh tomato, a slab of creamy mozzarella and a few fragrant basil leaves. It smells heavenly. Plain, it's slightly sweet with the subtle taste of black licorice. Here I share with you one of the greatest food combinations man has created! I've sure never met anyone that doesn't like a homemade pesto.

Growing up, pesto was always a safe bet in our household. It's a sauce my mom made all the time with the fresh basil we were growing in the backyard, sometimes using slight variations from the traditional, adding sun-dried tomatoes or tossing in some arugula to add that hint of peppery goodness.

I'll provide for you the ingredients that go in the food processor and the rest is up to you. Hone in on you taste buds, get aquatinted with the ingredients, and mix away until it tastes just right to you.

Pesto Sauce:

Basil

Parsley

Pine Nuts (option to toast)

Parmesan Cheese, grated or finely chopped

Garlic

Salt

Pepper

Olive Oil (adding slowly while mixing until desired texture)

Lemon Zest (optional: gives the sauce a lightness and a great taste)

What's are your favorite herb?

*Recipe sharing and food stories are encouraged on this site:)

Although right now I am talking to myself, I hope that one day, many many people will read this and contribute to it and share in the celebration of fresh ingredients, great food and home cooking.

And great wine too. I'm sure i'll get to that topic very soon.

Chow

If you don't love it already, this will make you love granola

Well this is hopefully the first of many posts on this blog. I am so excited to share with you my search for great ingredients around Vancouver and adventures in home cooking. My goal is to inspire you all to get out, wherever you live, find some fresh ingredients that inspire you to come home and cook.

How could you go wrong starting with this granola that you won't be able to get enough of.

Delicious, Healthy, Decadent.

Maple Pecan Granola with Apples and Figs

Ingredients:

3 Cups Rolled Oats

1 Cup Oat Bran

A couple handfuls of Pecans (or Walnuts)

¼ cup flax seeds

1/3 cup cane sugar

A few pinches of salt

2 Apples (I used organic fuji apples, but granny smith or any crisp apple will do the job) *See instructions

½ lemon

cinnamon and sugar

Dried Black Mission Figs, Thinly sliced

Syrup:

3/4 Cup Maple syrup

1/3 Cup Canola Oil

Directions:

Combine all the dry ingredients (Oats, Oat Bran, Pecans, flax seeds, sugar, salt).

Prepare the apples as follows:

Core the apples and cut into quarters. Thinly slice . In a small bowl, squeeze ½ fresh lemon over apples to prevent browning. Mix in 3-4 tablespoons of cinnamon and a small handful of sugar.

Add apple mixture to dry ingredients.

Heat syrup mixture of maple syrup and canola oil in a saucepan to just boiling. Pour over granola and mix well.

Spread out over two large baking sheets and bake at 300 degrees F for about 30 minutes, or until just golden brown.

Toss in sliced figs.

Leave on sheets to cool and then place in a jar or plastic bag and enjoy.

Serve with plain yogurt for a champion breakfast or with vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert. Or just snack on it straight out of the jar.

If you want to try making your own yogurt…TRY THIS!...

YOGURT RECIPE COMING SOON…